Sports junkies

Xavier in his baseball uniform.

Gavin showing off his muscles and his Spartan jersey.  

In our house if the t.v. is on, most of the time it's football, basketball, baseball, or ESPN.  I am completely out of touch with any shows on prime time because of my sports fanatics.  I guess it's a good thing I enjoy sports or I'd be living in the wrong house. 

Spring Has Sprung

When you have 3 active boys like me the weather does not keep us from heading outdoors.  The boys had an impromptu rain play in our backyard after school.  Galoshes ready.  Rain jackets ready.  Ready, set, and the worm hunt begins!  These boys love mud and worms like nobodies business.  

Our little Reidster has loved not having to be bundled in a hundred layers.  This new world of sunny days outside has got him smiling from ear to ear along with mommy.  He is my only boy that likes the swing.  Xavier didn't like the swing until he was 3 or 4 and Gavin hated the swing as a baby. 

We have a lot of time to cheering on the big boys at their baseball games and practices.  Reid is soaking it all in.  After watching his big brothers practice and play sports, by the time he's old enough to play he will be READY.

Okay so sometimes (a lot of times) poor little Reid has to have shortened naps.  Getting woken up or missing a nap does not make him happy, but with our crazy schedule of school times, appointments, and other obligations this kid has been a trooper to adapt to whatever life throws at him.

  X sure likes being able to push his little bro on the swing.

Opening day at Rita's was a happy day for these characters.  We had to celebrate the first day of Spring with some yummy slushies.

Trunk monkeys.  Gavin fits right in with the big guys.  In his head there is no age gap between him and his older brother and friends.

Spring, we are welcoming you with open arms.  I'd say more like a big bear hug.  We longed for sunnier and warmer days during the loooooong cold winter.

We Heart NYC

Our visit to Philly was just a warm up for our next adventure in the Big Apple.  I was a little nervous about the logistics of taking our 3 little ones into the city.  Luckily having Zach, Eli, John, and Reva to help keep an eye on the littles we were able to keep everyone safe and have a great time. We parked our cars in New Jersey and took the train into the city.

Our first stop was the 9/11 Memorial Site.  Last time we visited NYC this was all under construction.  It was nice to see the completed part where the Twin Towers once stood.  It was definitely a time to reflect and remember all those who lost their lives that dreadful day. 

We stopped for lunch at Battery Park and saw the Statue of Liberty from afar.

Then we stopped at Rockefeller Center.  The boys HAD to go to the LEGO store of course.

Since Easter was right around the corner there were some pretty cool eggs on display all around Rockefeller Center.

This cowboy was pretty cool.

This wall had running water down the side of it.  We always like going through the underpass.

Small town dudes in a big city.  They were eating it up!  Eli and Zach even said they thought it would be a neat experience to live in NYC for a while.  It is definitely a better experience for young singles.

Next it was off to Times Square.  It was so fun to see Abbi's expression at all the lights and sounds and color that filled this part of the city.  Our eyes hurt from the sensory overload.  Times Square is a one of a kind place.  There is nothing like it and you can't really describe it, you have to experience it.

Gavin was tuckered out by this point in the day so we put Reid in the Bjorn and let Gavin rest his tired legs.  Within minutes he was sound asleep.  He didn't even wake up to eat pizza.

Everyone else enjoyed some NY style pizza.  There is a difference in it's taste from other pizza and it was oh so yummy.

A cheesy piece of heaven.

Too bad Reid isn't quite old enough to taste it.

Deep dish for the two growing teenagers.  It's hard filling these boys stomachs up for too long.  I have now seen what my future will hold with three boys and teenage appetites.

On the corner of Broadway and 35th street.  What's behind them?   

John got this cool shot of X on the subway.  I thought it was a pretty neat photo.  Such diversity in the city.  

After walking all day and experiencing the excitement of a busy city we were ready to go back home.

As an added bonus at the end of the trip these boys performed for us on the train ride back to Jersey. Dancing on a movie train and using a hat as a prop was quite impressive.  There is never a dull moment when you visit New York City.